Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX9V
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
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91 Imaging
39 Features
46 Overall
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX9V Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
- 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
- Revealed July 2010
- Previous Model is Canon SX10 IS
- New Model is Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
- Announced July 2011

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX9V Overview
On this page, we are looking at the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony HX9V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and HX9V (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX20 IS was manufactured 12 months earlier than the HX9V so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX9V being a Compact camera.
Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SX20 IS matches up vs the HX9V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX9V Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX20 IS Gallery and Sony HX9V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Sony HX9V
SX20 IS | HX9V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Canon SX20 IS
HX9V | SX20 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2011 | ![]() | July 2010 | Newer by 12 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Sony HX9V
SX20 IS | HX9V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch display |
Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX20 IS features external measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Sony HX9V has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).
Examine the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony HX9V in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the SX20 IS versus the HX9V.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and HX9V is 65 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be tough to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by checking out technical specs. The picture here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX20 IS and HX9V.
As you have seen, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Sony HX9V to provide more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX9V Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2010-07-06 | 2011-07-19 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | 24-384mm (16.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 0cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | - | XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 6.80 m | 4.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/500 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 600 gr (1.32 lb) | 245 gr (0.54 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") | 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery model | 4 x AA | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $500 | $328 |